The Internal Feud

"Why aren't you leaving?" Adonis asked Luca as the rest of the room dispersed, still in their dazed state.

No one had ever seen Cara in that light, not to talk more about the outburst she had. The words she said came as a shock to some, then as a low blow to others, particularly Adonis himself.

He could only stare blankly as though they were nothing more than ordinary words, but the withdrawn expression on his face as soon as she stormed out the door spoke volumes of how he felt.

He shouldn't be hurt. It was nothing. He didn't care about what others thought of him, and that's how he had always lived, but his heart didn't agree with that theory anymore. 

"You messed up, man," Luca stated in an emotionless voice.

Adonis ignored him, heading back to the work he had at hand before the show. He heaved a deep sigh, taking a seat at his desk.

"She wanted the truth."

"And you could've placed it down in a different manner. You were being so carefree about it. Like her life meant nothing to you. Didn't you say you love her? Is this all your love amounts to?" Luca retorted, and he scoffed.

"So you're the expert on love now? What would you rather have me do? Natasha already spilt everything out. There was no use hiding it again." 

Luca stalked up to him with a disappointed look.

"Yes, Natasha. Tell me, what's going on between you both? Do you want to get back together? I thought it was just work—

"You know it's just work,"

"Then you're doing a very shitty job at making it clear. You're making Cara confused. As your friend, I must keep you in check! I will not stand by and watch you do the wrong thing! She's carrying your child, for God's sake, Adonis. Also tell me, when did you start discussing personal stuff with your ally?" 

Adonis threw him a stressed-out look.

"I told you all, I never told Natasha a thing; she confirmed it!"

"But you told her father?"

"I didn't!" He slammed his fist on the desk in anger. 

What was it with everyone throwing doubts and queries at him? Wasn't he the one in charge?

Luca narrowed his eyes at him.

"If you didn't, then who did?" 

"I don't know, but I won't drag it out. These stories are becoming too complicated, and I don't do complications. I just want to focus on finding Antonio, and Natasha seems to be the only one on top of it all. Cara knows that she's nothing but a baby mama at the moment. I never planned on loving her, but I do now, and that's fine, but I can't let go of my goal for anyone. Not even her." Adonis stated in a final tone.

Luca couldn't understand him no matter how he tried. He had always been like that. Unbothered and uncaring about anything else but what he wanted. He had thought he'd change after meeting Cara and becoming responsible for a life, but Adonis was still the same selfish bastard.

He shook his head in disbelief. 

"I don't know who you are anymore, Adonis, and if things continue to go down this path, you'll lose everyone around you. If you're hurting, say it! No need to make everyone around you miserable."

"No. You're the one who has forgotten who you are." Adonis sneered. "We are mafia men! Mafia! No matter what, family comes first! Not silly emotions! I think your loyalty needs to be tested."

Luca pinned him with a hard look.

"Are you doubting me now?" He laughed sarcastically. "What? I'm a betrayer now? Well, so are you because you claim family comes first but you treat Cara badly. Isn't she your family now? You're just scared of commitment, Adonis, and that's fine. But not everyone is like you, so do not ruin our lives with your f*cked-up reasoning!"

"I am your boss!" Adonis shot right up in rage.

"Then you'd do well to act like it!"

Luca returned; they quietly gazed at each other, tension sizzling in the atmosphere.

"I am your boss, Luca, and you'd give me the respect due. Do you think you know love? You've been engaged to Cecelia for over a year and have known her for more than four, but you're scared to marry her all because you want to keep living in the moment. Is that what love is to you?" He mocked. "Is there something you're not telling me? Do you have feelings for Cara?"

"Adonis!"

"Then why are you speaking up for her? She isn't your wife! She's mine!" His lips curled in a sinister smile. "You're in love with your Capo's wife? Come on, you can say it. There was never really anything between us anyway.

Luca threw him a confused look

"What nonsense are you saying? You know why I care. I've told you, friend or not, I will not watch you ruin whatever good thing you have left."

"I don't need a friend! Stay out of my goddamn business, and maybe you'd stop slacking. You still haven't found what was taken during the break-in."

"I told you nothing was taken!" 

Adonis gave him a pointed look

"How come I went over to the safe a few minutes ago and some important documents, as well as the traditional ring of the mafia king, are missing?"

"That is impossible!"

"Get out of my office and stay out of my way until you get your act together. I don't want a lousy second in command dragging behind my back."

He ended as Luca stood agape. Did Adonis just spew those words at him? What the hell was happening to his friend? Why was he so obsessed about finding Antonio, that he couldn't see he was tearing everyone else apart?

Having tried the best he could, he tiredly exhaled.

"You've just shown me that what Cara said is true. You deserve to be alone, and I'll give you exactly what you want." He headed towards the mahogany doors, placing his hand on the doorknob. "It's a good thing you made me know my stance today. You were more than a boss to me, even if I was just your underling." 

And then he walked out of the study.

Luca felt a mixture of both surprise and anger.

After years of knowing one another, was this all their friendship amounted to? They were brothers! Brothers who shared the same goals for the family. Together they were a force to be reckoned with!

'Fratelli per la vita e oltre (Brothers for life and beyond).' They'd always say while growing up.

Anger surged within him.

He couldn't wait to get off the floor. Out of the mansion... off the estate itself. There was no need to hang around where he wasn't wanted!

He stormed towards the elevator door but didn't get past the living room when his phone began to beep, and he snapped it to his ear.

"What?"

A deep sigh.

"Luca." 

His eyes widened in recognition of the voice. It was the voice he'd heard just a few weeks ago, and they were still in search of him.

Why was Antonio calling him? Surely he knew that Luca shouldn't even be a choice... 

A series of words flowed through his mind, and his lips parted to make them known, but Antonio's next statement caused it all to be reduced to one.

"What?"